Business needs people with specific technical skills and knowledge, and a full array of soft skills; teamwork, project management and leadership, goal setting, social interaction and a good work attitude. A major goal of the education process is to produce people with these skills and characteristics. It is critical that education and business interact so that education can understand these needs and adjust the curriculum. It is, however, unrealistic for education to do all this on its own.

Public school education has been a focus of the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation since it was founded in 1957. Larry Stone, president and chief operating officer for Lowe’s Companies, Inc says “a strong educational system is the bedrock of a productive society. However, our society’s needs are changing with an increasing technical skills gap. In order to fill the growing skills gap with technical, professional, managerial, leadership, customer service and communication skills, Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation recently announced an unprecedented $10 million commitment to SkillsUSA, the CTE student organization, through 2014.”

The skilled worker shortage our industries are facing demands that businesses be part of the solution. Jeff Swartz, President and Chief Executive Officer of Timberland recently said, “The moral incumbency to make education a priority is not just the government’s job, and it’s not just the teacher’s job. It is absolutely the business of business to be involved in education, and Timberland is proud to be associated with advancing the education of the next generation to lead America.” Timberland works hard to ensure that they promote community service events that give students hands-on-opportunities to make a difference in the community.

The investments of funds and expertise that businesses make in education helps students learn, focus their skills, and hone their knowledge. Business investments allow Career and Technical Education to enhance its instructional programs, embrace community service programs, and develop school improvement projects. Because of the connection with business, students can be world class as they become the entrepreneurs, contractors, industry leaders, and volunteers of tomorrow.

Businesses that work closely with students in the schools get quality feedback that can be used to develop new products and services. “SkillsUSA gives Caterpillar an opportunity to interact with the educational system and influence what is taught in the classroom to meet our needs: technical standards, soft skills, and so forth,” says Cameron Ferguson, manager of product safety and engineering services. Being able to encourage young people to pursue careers in technical pathways is critical to the future of the USA and our company.

Business connections with the students in schools assist in enabling students to enter the workplace with good attitudes, willing and ready to work. They can help schools create students that businesses can mentor, nurture and eventually hire as the next generation of business leaders.

As young people are transformed from students to young adults in our high schools, it is a pleasure for business people to interact with such a passionate and eager audience as is found in the Career and Technical Education Classroom and Labs of our state and nation. Curt Rahilly, vice president of marketing for Irwin Tools, says “their employees are re-inspired to continue their support of CTE each time they work with students who are enthusiastic, hardworking and eager to learn”. It is a great win-win connection for business people to connect with focused students!

Want to feel good about the future of America? If so you need to get involved with CTE!

Business people quoted in this article all work closely with SkillsUSA the Career and Technical Students organization for Technical Education Students. They were recently featured in the SkillsUSA Champions magazine.  www.skillsusa.org